I wouldn't pay TED prices for any sort of generic public conference, and less so if it's going to be available later for free. But hey, some people do find it

I wouldn't pay TED prices for any sort of generic public conference, and less so if it's going to be available later for free. But hey, some people do find it worthwhile and they can use their money as they see fit. In any case I wouldn't care if my money paid for travel expenses or speaker fees. If that kind of thing bothered me I would struggle in my daily life.